Emily Maitlis had the tables turned on her during an interview with Spike Jonze with the director grilling her about her views on his new film Her.

During a rather awkward interview on Newsnight, the TV presenter tried to dodge questions from the film-maker, who was on the show to promote the sci-fi love story.

Appearing via video link, Jonze asked Maitlis what she thought about the film with the host answering rather abruptly: ‘I was curious as to whether the man found his ideal woman who just works for him as his PA.’

A surprised Jonze then replied: ‘As the movie goes on she certainly starts out as his assistant but I think as she becomes a person is when the relationship actually becomes real.

Emily Maitlis interviews Spike Jonze on Newsnight (Picture: BBC)

‘She has her own wants and needs and insecurities and her own desires separate from what he wants and that’s where the conflict in any relationship is; how to have your own needs and be able to fulfil your partner’s needs.’

In Her, Joaquin Phoenix plays a lonely writer who falls in love with his Siri-like computer operating system (Scarlett Johansson).

Jonze didn’t give up though and asked Maitlis if the film had ‘moved’ her.

She admitted that it had but when pressed to elaborate, she replied: ‘Our audience want to hear from you, not me.’

Afterwards on Twitter, she revealed her real opinion of the Oscar-nominated film.

She tweeted: ‘Ok .now I can tell you what I thought of #her. Sad, male fetish fantasy of disembodied female who does his bidding..#newsnight’

The TV star also retweeted comments criticising Jonze’s appearance on the show including one from jamesthornton comparing it to ‘like being stuck in a hoxton bar with some git with a cupcake. Interviewing the interviewer is dull & v v old hat.’